Another slip betwixt cup and lip

The work-to-rule campaign launched by tea plantation workers from last Tuesday demanding a pay hike has crippled tea production, said Joint Plantation Trade Union (JPTU) General Secretary O.A. Ramiah. The campaign began after the failure to renew the Collective Agreement between the up-country plantation trade unions and the companies.

The two year Collective Agreement lapsed in June this year and has not been renewed due to salary disputes. Mr. Ramiah told The Sunday Times that last Thursday the TUs had met Labour Minister Athauda Seneviratne and demanded that the basic salary be increased to Rs. 300 per day from the present Rs. 200 including all supplementary payments.

If the workers do not show 75 per cent attendance they are denied any supplementary allowances.He pointed out that unskilled government workers were getting salaries of around Rs. 11,000 per month whereas estate workers got only less than Rs. 8,000 after workings seven days a week. Minister Seneviratne had urged the two parties to come to an amicable settlement of Rs. 250 per day. The second round of talks are be held on November 28.